A recent academic study has highlighted the humanitarian impact of international sanctions, with researchers finding a strong association between sanctions and increased mortality rates across multiple age groups.
The paper published in The Lancet analysed data from 152 countries between 1971 and 2021, examining sanctions imposed primarily by the United States, European Union, and United Nations alongside mortality data from global institutions.
The researchers reported that sanctions—particularly unilateral and economic measures—were linked to higher death rates, with the most severe effects seen among young children and older adults.
The study estimated that sanctions contribute to approximately 777,000 deaths annually in affected countries, representing around 3.6 percent of total deaths. More than half of these deaths were found to occur in children under the age of five, while a significant proportion also affected older populations.
The findings have drawn renewed scrutiny of long-standing sanctions policies, particularly those aimed at influencing political change. Critics like best-selling author John leake argue that such measures often fail to achieve their intended outcomes while placing disproportionate strain on civilian populations. Observations from Cuba, where long-standing US sanctions remain in place, have been cited as an example of how economic restrictions can impact everyday living conditions without necessarily altering political leadership.
While the study’s authors controlled for factors such as income, education, conflict, and governance, analysts note that limitations remain in isolating causation from correlation. Further independent review has been suggested to assess the robustness of the findings. Nonetheless, the research adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that sanctions may carry significant humanitarian consequences alongside their geopolitical aims.
Image credit: Mehmet Turgut Kirkgoz
Far larger due to tribal fighting or muslims on christians better not go there eh
The US is a terrorist nation
Why blame the US? Sanctions have affected only those nations which cannot feed themselves. Where population growth is out of control. They say ‘it’s our culture’ and then complain continually about deprivation, Corrupt governments of these countries have relied on international handouts for decades. They are now at the stage where international aid cannot feed populations which are several times what they were 20 years ago. Much internal conflict is due to this. It will get worse as the battle for resources heats up. There is nothing anyone can do. The women and children will die and the men will run like rats to the west.